With the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 looming closer, Rajasthan captain Steve Smith has confirmed that he will depart for Australia after his side’s clash against team Bengaluru on April 30.
The build-up to the World Cup has already seen several players from the foreign contingent leaving the tournament midway through the season and team Rajasthan have been hurt by it the most.
Jos Buttler had already left the team as his wife was pregnant with the couple’s first child, while the likes of Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer have also left for England to join their World Cup camp. Following the trail, their newly appointed captain, Steve Smith has confirmed that he is set to be a part of team’s next two fixtures; against Hyderabad on April 27 and Bengaluru on April 30.
"We lose a few players now. Jofra (Archer) and Stokesy (Ben Stokes) are off tonight, they go back to England now - two big holes to fill. I am here for 13 games. After the Bangalore one, I’ll be heading back. Hopefully, I can contribute and see if we can get few more wins,” Smith said at the post-match presentation ceremony after the win over KKR.
Meanwhile, the team kept their hopes of qualifying for the playoffs well and truly alive by defeating Kolkata by three wickets. Kolkata, on the back of Dinesh Karthik’s 97 not-out, posted 175, and Rajasthan reacted in absolute style.
After being down at 98 for 5, the likes of Riyan Parag and Jofra Archer came to the rescue. The former scored 31-ball 47, while the latter hit the match-winning knock of 27 off just 12 deliveries.
